Chapter 4 – Are We Actually Considering This?
Kim and Ron sat on a weathered park bench in Central Park, the afternoon sun filtering through the vibrant canopy of trees. A soft breeze carried the mingled sounds of street musicians, children laughing, and the occasional bark of dogs on their leashes. Spread out on the bench in front of them were glossy NYU brochures, their pages fluttering slightly in the breeze. Kim held hers delicately, while Ron balanced his brochure on his lap, a soft pretzel clutched in one hand.
"This place is pretty amazing," Ron said through a mouthful of pretzel. He swallowed quickly, his enthusiasm shining in his eyes. "I mean, a full scholarship, KP! I can actually focus on studying without worrying about working. How crazy is that?"
Kim leaned back against the bench, smiling as she watched his excitement. "It's incredible, Ron. You deserve it. And hey, my scholarship isn't full, but with my savings, I can manage without a job too. Full-time students—just like we planned."
Ron grinned, brushing a few crumbs off his lap. "Yeah, but you're the brainiac. I'm guessing your plan is to ace everything, while mine is... well, to survive."
Kim rolled her eyes, but the teasing smile never left her lips. "You'll do great, Ron. And besides, we'll have each other."
Ron flipped through his brochure, stopping at the page showing the dormitory options. The images of neatly arranged dorm rooms and happy students were almost too perfect. He tapped the page, his brow furrowed. "Okay, but... I'm not super thrilled about the idea of living with random people. What if I get stuck with a guy who practices his bagpipes at three in the morning?"
Kim giggled. "Or someone who leaves dirty laundry everywhere."
"Exactly!" Ron said, pointing at her. "See, you get it. Roommates are risky business."
"What if we rented an apartment in the city?" Kim suggested, glancing at Ron as she flipped the page of her NYU brochure. "It'd be better than living in the dorms."
Ron's eyes lit up at the idea. "Yeah! It definitely would. But…" He hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "If we're talking about renting in the world's most expensive city, I think the plan of not having a job is gonna tank pretty fast. At least one of us would have to work."
Kim sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "True… too bad. I guess you're stuck with your bagpipe musician roommate."
Ron let out a laugh, shaking his head. "And you'll probably get someone who talks loudly on the phone all night."
Kim chuckled, leaning back against the park bench, but their laughter soon faded into a comfortable silence. The distant hum of the city filled the air—the soft chatter of passersby, the honking of horns, and the faint notes of a saxophone from a nearby street performer.
Ron shifted, his gaze fixed on a spot in the distance as if gathering his thoughts. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer. "I mean… I know we're already here together, defying all odds, but…" He hesitated, his cheeks tinged pink. "It would be really nice coming home to you every night."
Kim's breath caught, her eyes widening slightly as she turned to him.
"You know," Ron continued, his voice growing steadier, "not having to wake up without you being there. Just us, like we did the past week. It felt… so right."
Kim's heart swelled at the quiet sincerity in his words. For a moment, she didn't know what to say, the weight of his confession settling over her like a warm blanket.
"Ron…" she began softly, her green eyes locking with his.
He offered her a small, nervous smile, his hands absentmindedly fidgeting with the edge of his brochure. His gaze shifted downward, drawn to the section showcasing the married couple dorms.
Kim's gaze soon followed his, her eyes landing on the same images. She stared at them in silence. The stillness between them lingered, the weight of the moment growing as neither spoke.
Kim suddenly broke the silence, tilting her head, her green eyes sparkling with a mix of mischievousness and shy energy. "You know... it's kinda funny. If we got married, we could live there."
Ron froze mid-bite, nearly choking on his pretzel. "What?! Married? KP, that's—"
"A joke!" Kim cut in, laughing nervously. "I was joking, Ron. Obviously."
Ron let out a laugh of his own, scratching the back of his neck. "Right, totally a joke. Us? Married? Just to get a dorm together? That'd be... crazy."
"Insane," Kim agreed quickly. "Completely nuts."
Silence stretched between them again, the sound of a saxophone from a nearby street performer filling the space. Neither of them moved, their eyes still lingering on the brochure.
"Crazy, huh?" Ron said quietly, breaking the silence. His voice was softer now, less certain.
Kim turned to look at him, her heart skipping a beat at the serious expression on his face. "Yeah," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But not... the worst idea."
Ron's eyes widened, his pretzel momentarily forgotten. "Wait, are we actually considering this?"
Kim laughed, though her cheeks flushed a deep pink. "No! I mean... I don't know. It's ridiculous, right? We're 18. Who gets married at 18 just to live together on campus?"
Ron hesitated, his expression softening. "People who really want to be together?"
Kim's breath hitched, and her gaze locked with his. For a moment, the bustling world of Central Park seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them on that bench. The weight of his words settled over her, a mix of fear and exhilaration bubbling in her chest.
"Ron..." she began, her voice barely steady.
"KP, I know it's crazy," Ron interrupted gently. "But... maybe not as crazy as it sounds."
Kim's heart raced, her emotions a whirlwind she wasn't ready to name. "We can't... right? I mean, we shouldn't..."
"Shouldn't and can't are two different things," Ron said, his tone quiet but resolute. "I just... I don't want to be apart from you, Kim. Not here, not now, not ever."
Kim's cheeks burned, but she couldn't fight the smile that crept onto her face. "Ron Stoppable, you're either the most romantic guy I've ever met... or the craziest."
"Maybe both," Ron said, his grin wide and unashamed. "But only for you, KP."
They laughed together, the tension breaking but leaving behind a warmth that settled deep in their hearts. The idea was wild, impulsive—but it didn't feel impossible.